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I have a delorme GPS receiver and a laptop. I have the DC to AC adapter running the laptop. if you want the JDM OEM look, try to find a navi system from a acura, it will be a direct fit. you can also go aftermarket, try www.crutchfield.com I have a coupon for $20 off from them if you are interested

I have a laptop that I plan to use as a navigation system in a 2002 Taurus that has a single disk CD player and no cassette.If it had a cassette, I would just get a cassette adapter to run the audio from the laptop, but that is not an option. I also heard that there are FM transmitters than could be used, but they work poorly.Someone said there is some way to tap into the unused factory CD changer input so I could connect the laptop or even a MP3 player and get full fidelity. Anyone have an idea how this could be done?It would be really cool to use the laptop to play MP3s and also simultaneously hear the navigation commands if that software was running at the same time.

You're in luck. There is a way to hook into your car's AUX input that will result in incredible sound without having to buy an aftermarket head unit. Soundgate makes a product for 1995+ Ford vehicles that enable you to hook up your laptop, or a sirius satellite radio controller or even a cd changer to your factory radio. Check it out. http://www.soundgate.com/products/aux-in/ford.htm# for the aux in.

My fave is the Garmin StreetPilot III ColorMap, reviewed here <http://gpsinformation.net/spiii/sp3review.htm>. Full color, completely routable, full USA City Navigator detailed street map CD for most major metro areas + internal rural Base Maps, uses small-to-large memory chips, and it talks. Comes with its own separate speaker unit that plugs into your DC socket, and there're several optional combined power/data cables available for it. Costs about $800, more or less. Got mine on sale for $750 from GPS Now!!!.

I'd rather leave the car's speakers for music, or leave them silent. It's creapy hearing "Turn here" in stereo!!!

I just got one of these over the winter and tried it out on a trip last month.

The Good - nice colour maps - nice to be able to load detailed maps on your planned route - the beanbag mount works very well and makes it easy to adjust the unit

The Bad - still has bugs in the software (hangs when you get near the loaded files edge and doesn't use the base map when you get to the detailed map area, even though the detailed map didn't have the major highways - BC Canada) - compared to my GPS III+ very poor receiver in this unit - lost sats. in locations the III+ works fine - is rather large on the dash - the III+ allows changing the things displayed on the side of the screen - couldn't see anyware how to do this on the Streetpilot III (I like to see altitude, trip distance, avg. speed, current speed, and time/date)

Overall, I give it a C-. For the money, I think I'd recommend checking out the GPS V. It is practial for handheld use as well and has most of the features of the Streetpilot III.

As with everything, YMMV (your mileage may vary), I guess. Mine has been outstanding on Texas road trips, and one trip to relatives in Alabama, and one to New Mexico. Very few hang-up glitches ever, with these particular maps. I'm a ham radio operator, so I preemptively rigged a special antenna for my unit, and I've never noticed any significant loss of satellite coverage. The thing eats batteries like the Cookie Monster does cookies, color screen and talking voice and all, so I only use it plugged in. (I carry a more efficient, but much-less-powerful Garmin eTrex Vista for non-wheeled unplugged adventures.) And as far as the chunky size--yeah, well, this is *Texas*, and I drive a Dodge Ram MaxiWagon 15-person van, so that big box on the dash is right at home here! Ha ha!

Both being Garmin products, I can use the same media for this and my Vista when on foot. (It gets to be a real pain to have to have totally different media for all your different GPS hardware.) I have the internal built-in base maps for both, plus the detailed CityNavigator that came with the SPIII, and a Garmin topo disc for use with my eTrex when hiking. The little eTrex only has 24 MB of memory, so you have to reprogram it occasionally, but programming is actually kind of fun, so overall this works well for me.

One thing I saw some search-and-rescue guys do was to install a dedicated 8"-ish LCD screen on top of the dash that they could plug the GPS unit into. Swivels and tilts on a little pedestal. This gives the driver and navigator a much easier-on-the-eyes monitor than that puny little 3" deal on the unit itself. You and I may have a little difficulty explaining that monitor being up front near the driver to a cop ("Sir, were you watching TV while driving down the road? Was that why you were speeding and weaving like that?"), but it works well for those who need it in their line of work. A liability insurance-wise, but it sure is a lot easier to see while driving down the road than a handheld or even an in-dash unit.

Going on a trip to Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan. Just bought the Garmin Mapsource Worldmap to use with my GPS III+. When I installed it the program immediatly recognized the Streetpilot Citynavigator install and piggybacked on to it. Very clever. Only have to run one program for two different GPS' (both Garmin, of course). The Streetpilot can't use the worldmap data and the GPS III+ can't use the Citynavigator data, but at least I only have one install to worry about. The program keeps the data on the correct device. The maps look pretty good (better than what I've been able to find on the internet). We'll see how often we get lost next month, but as it's a vacation getting lost is just more adventure ;-).

I'm having trouble with mine. Its incredibly annoying to plan routes with. I sit here at my desk and try to navigate the map and it keeps beeping every 10 seconds or so and shifts the view on the map to another part of the state (different every time). Really wish I hadn't bought this thing. very frustrating.

It seems like you have "auto paning" enabled. I was not able to get GPS to work at home.

The only beef I have with the current version of the mapping software is that whenever i veer off route the very annoying voice keeps saying "off route, off route..." and does not recalculate. I have to restart the software to get rid of the bug. Another issue with Delorme is that you HAVE to use Delorme software. I have tried using MS trips and tips, but Delorme receiver has a chip that disables NEMA communications with programs other than Delorme. I am will be checking out Rand McNally and eTrecks as the upgrade.

This software really annoys me. So, anyway, I did have the auto-recenter box unchecked because that was one of the things I tried to stop this automatic moving of the map. Of course, the problem still exists. So now I've gone and unchecked EVERY auto option on the GPS tab. This thing continues to beep and change where the screen is centered on the map. I don't even have to do anything. I can just sit there, not touch the mouse or keyboard, and it will continue to beep and shift the view every couple of seconds. So frustrating!

Try running the software with the GPS receiver disconnected. Like I said, I could never get a location fix indoors. I would suggest you call Delorme's tech support and see what they come up with. You may be required to un-install it, restart, install, restart and see if it helped.

I am looking to get my wife a GPS for XMas. I am looking for something that mounts in the minivan, is easy/safe to use (voice direction), has very up-to-date maps for an area that is constantly under construction (DC, MD, Northern VA), and is reasonably priced.

My simple research seems to say I should get either the Magellan 500, or Garmin Streetpilot III or GPS V?

Any advice or recommendations greatly appreciated. Are there other features that are "must haves"?

Have a look at the Garmin "IMAP". Bigger screen than the Streetpilot III and GPS V, and adding memory doesn't require you to pay the high prices Garmin demands for their proprietary modules - the IMAP uses standard memory. Bonus, it's also a PDA. Seems to use the same map files. Garmin has been updating their map files about every 6 months.

I have a 1998 RL and love it!! I sell Real Estate so the Navigation System has been a Godsend. Unfortunately, the screen started blinking a couple of week ago then went black. I still get voice, and the touch pad seems to be working even though I can't see what I am touching. I brought it to the dealer and am told I need a new screen to the tune of over $2000.I am so spoiled by the Navigation System that I have to get it fixed but it seems like everything is working except the light. Has anyone encountered this problem and if so is there a less expensive fix?I would sure appreciate any suggestions.ThanksDotti, Massachusettsdotti@santomarcore.com

It is a losing battle. If you spend $2000 to fix it, you will never recover the money and other things will go wrong with the car over time.If you install an aftermarket navigation system in an RL, future buyers will complain.Better off dumping the car and getting a new one with warranty. The new TL has a great new navigation system with more features than that RL. You could also look at the Acura MDX and Lexus RX330. Those are great for real estate agents to tote clients around in.

Does anyone out there know if you can buy a navigation system and add it to a car. I wanted a navigation system but did not have the extra $2,000. I wonder if you can buy one, i.e. buying DVD system from Best Buy and installing it to a car, in order to save money and upgrade if necessary. Any suggestions, who to contact? Can you buy a system and attach it to your car, and maybe if carry it with you are walking. Thanks.

I too am trying to decide between Garmin's Street PilotIII and the Magellan 500 but have not seen any comparisons on the net. I am very familiar with and like the GPS which Hertz uses.I understand these are Magellan 750-based systems which I think is the next model higher to the 500. Costco sells the Magellan for $899 and the Garmin for $699 so unless there are people who can share their experiences with both of them, I guess one way to go is try both of them using Costco's liberal return policy and return one.

I did some further research on the Web and it seems that these two units are market positioned against each other. The recently released Roadmate 500 has gotten mostly rave reviews from 11 consumers posting at Amazon. Detailed specs and comparisons of the two units can be found at http://www.autonav2000.com. I am inclined to order and test the Roadmate first because of its superior graphics and display, better audio prompts (similar to the Hertz Neverlost system), and because it is WAAS enabled. WAAS allows the GPS sensor to pinpoint location to within 9 feet as opposed to the 30 feet accuracy in none WAAS enabled systems. Hope this helps others considering aftermarket NAV systems cheaper than the $2000 built-in NAVs offered as car options.

One thing manufacturers should add to future built-in nav systems is a heads up display that can project, at the very least, information about the the next turn on to the windshield. I can have an arrow pointing which way to turn, the name of the street and the distance ahead (if not a complete mirror of all the info on the main screen).